In the span of 14 months, the dysfunctional and delusional coalition government has not only failed to fulfill the promises they made before the election but they are the very reason why the country is suffering.
This was highlighted by FijiFirst MP Ketan Lal while responding to President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere's opening speech in Parliament.
The FijiFirst MP says the speech of the President had raised some pertinent issues and Fijians want the issues to be highlighted and voiced out in Parliament.
Lal says the lack of investment and continued brain-drain of thousands of skilled Fijians is a sign that people no longer have confidence in the coalition government.
He says the government was given a very stable economy, but they are unable to cope with the new world challenges and the demand of Fijian people.
Lal says it is evident that they lack the practical skills needed to run the economy and people are suffering among other things the high cost of living has caused many to reevaluate their livelihoods and their future, especially in the rural areas such as Taveuni and Cakaudrove.
He says there is mismanagement and mishandling of the economy by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad who lacks practical experience to run a government.
The FijiFirst MP says before the election in 2022 there was a slogan by the National Federation Party ‘Time for a Change’ but the change people got is brutal and people are left wondering why they supported a party such as NFP that did nothing to reduce the cost of goods and added more burden on people.
Lal says they claim to provide monetary relief with the back-to-school assistance which was started by the FijiFirst government while some primary and secondary schools are charging levies that are an added burden on the families.
He says when responding to issues raised by the FijiFirst, the Finance Minister starts making personal attacks and unprofessional remarks and it seems like they have forgotten some basic economics.
He says high taxes result in an economic slowdown.
He says the Acting Police Commissioner, Juki Fong Chew cannot even manage his police officers who have been committing crimes so how can he be expected to efficiently manage crime prevention in the communities, yet the picture shows that we are a safe country when we are not.
Lal says the government talks about democracy, human rights and safeguarding the vulnerable such as women and children yet it endorsed genocide been carried out by Israel on the Palestinian people including the mass killing of innocent lives.
He says it seems like the government is selective in its application of policies on fundamental human rights, lacks humanity and it has become a joke to the people and to the international arena.
Lal further says the Minister for Multi-Ethnic, Charan Jeath Singh has proven to be a waste of taxpayers' money, over the past year there has been an absence of meaningful plans, actions or policies from his office.
He says his performance has been pathetic, as there was no need to establish such a Ministry and if the Minister spends more time in Fiji with the farmers rather than overseas he will then be making some meaningful decisions as he is assigned with one of the most crucial portfolios.
Lal adds what they have seen in the incompetent government is the improper use of authority as seen in the windmill project investigation.
He says the agreement was also endorsed by two cabinet ministers namely Minister for Sports and Fisheries but they want to know from the Prime Minister why there has been no announcement on any investigation and why is it so taking long.
He adds the people must be terminated and referred to FICAC.
A point of order was then raised by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Manoa Kamikamica under Standing Order 61 on the relevance of the topic.
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